Lithuania/ 2. General objectives and principles of cultural policy

2.2 National definition of culture

The term "culture" in Lithuania has a very broad meaning. Traditionally, it covers all fields of artistic expression, creation and presentation (art, architecture, music, performing arts, literature, etc.), as well as cultural heritage, amateur arts, participation in cultural life, products created by or thanks to culture and arts institutions, various forms of spiritual life, etc. The Lithuanian description of culture is close to that provided in the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies Declaration (Mexico, 1982): "in its widest sense, culture may now be said to be the whole complex of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features that characterise a society or social group. It includes not only the arts and letters, but also modes of life, the fundamental rights of the human being, value systems, traditions and beliefs".

In the Principles for Lithuanian Cultural Policy (2001) Lithuania's culture is defined as an "expression of the creative powers of an individual and the nation, guarantee of their identity and persistence; it shapes and depicts spiritual values and tangible properties, helps to educate a democratic, free and open society, promotes social and economic development of the state and reinforces its security".

In the State's Long-term Development Strategy (2002) the role of national culture was defined "to preserve and promote common European cultural values and national identity, to warrant its prolongation, openness and competitiveness incontemporary Lithuanian, European and the World cultural context". The Resolution on the Guidelines of Alteration of Lithuanian Culture Policy, passed by the Seimas in June 2010, underlines culture and creativity as fundamental resources for the state's development.

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